Nostalgic Kochi

Kochi spells pride and nostalgia for many who live here and away from this beautiful city

A famous dialogue from a popular Malayalam movie goes thus: Kochi pazhaya Kochi alla, meaning, Kochi is not the same old Kochi anymore. True, the commercial capital of Kerala, with its elite cosmopolitan crowd and growing infrastructural development, has transformed so much over the years and is almost unrecognisable now. 

But for many who live here or away from the city, it’s a nostalgic feeling. Be it the Marine Drive walkway, historic Fort Kochi, Broadway, there is a sense of belonging that attracts people to return to this place. What is it about the place that brings a smile, a sense of pride to each Kochiite?  

If Thara loves Kochi for its vibrant nature, P D Joseph recalls his good old days of frequenting the Indian Coffee House and Bharat café at Broadway. Kochi is native to many a migrant population like the Kutch Muslims, Marwaris, Gujaratis, Anglo-Indians, Tamilians and Jews who have lived here all their life. As someone born and brought in Kochi all her life, Krishna, currently based in Delhi, misses the warmth of the people, the incessant rains, the little food joints at every nook and corner of the bustling city, the long walks on the streets of Fort Kochi, the crazy traffic and most importantly, the feeling of friends and family. 

Needless to say, Kochi has something in store for all who live and belong here, something to call ‘Ente Kochi’ or my Kochi.